Orders of Angels: The Virtues and Principalities

This pair of English stained-glass panels of the late 15th century depict two orders of angels from the nine orders popularly represented in medieval art and literature. One group of three angels represents the Principalities, identified by the Latin inscription 'principans turma', while the other group represents the Virtues, �virtus uranica�. The survival of panels complete with these identifying texts is extremely rare. All six angels are dressed in white robes with golden wings and white haloes. A particularly unusual feature of the Virtues are the urine flasks they carry, a possible symbol of their ability to perform healing miracles. The paintwork is detailed and highly skilled and both panels are in exceptional condition.